When we chose Hong Kong, some of us didn’t know anything more than Jackie Chan. Some were really interested in the gate to the rest of Asia: China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia… Others, we are aware of the world ranking of HKU. Some just wanted to have fun in a metropolis as huge and important as New York, Tokyo or London. Some came looking for a whole different experience, in a world that was a new planet for them. And some just picked Hong Kong at random.
Be it one of the previous reasons or not, weve been here for one year already (in my case). Exchange students, visiting students (yes, we do exist, we’re a subclass of exchange students), or international full-degree students, we chose HKU for be it one semester, or two, or maybe four years; and in four months, there’s quite a lot to say about our stay here. But I would like to emphasize in international/exchange students in HKU’s Halls. And what may (or may not) interest you: people and HKU’s hall culture.
I feel like I’ve touched a taboo topic for most of us. I’ve heard so many different opinions, from both sides, from various countries that even if I wanted to take sides, I wouldn’t be able to, I don’t have enough feedback. Since I mostly hang out with non-locals, most of the comments I’ve heard come from this side. My sincere apologies, if somebody feels offended or uncomfortable. I’m open to your opinion to enrich our own knowledge about the world.
The first issue for us was the language. We came here with great expectations about the \ »use of English in HKU” to find that… we had to strive for many years learning Cantonese (much more difficult than Mandarin) and stop hanging out with just exchange students or foreigners like us if we wanted to communicate decently. But we can’t help it, it just feels so comfortable to communicate in your own language, flawlessly, there are plenty of internationals in HKU, wait, what’s the point of coming to Hong Kong if you won’t get at least the language from this amazing place?
As all of you have been learning English from school, even incorporate that in your daily talking, it’s expected for us to talk to you in English as we would do with somebody else. However, not every local can communicate in English as we wish. We often feel that there’s a discomfort and an invisible wall between us. And even if we talked in (toddler-level basic Cantonese), a fluent conversation would be really hard. So we wouldn’t feel comfortable as well. Dilemma. Some of us, we are not even native in English. We had to learn it really well before coming here. Therefore, we are in the same situation, English is not our mother tongue, and we still have to manage that.
The language barrier is evil, and even if there are some really kind and patient locals that do their best to talk and have a nice conversation (I mean, the ones with a subject to talk about for at least 30 minutes, and spontaneously, not the hi, how’s it going, where do you come from, ones)… this mischievous and cruel barrier of language discourages us. As a consequence, both of the parties don’t master the other’s language and thus, neither of us feels fluent and comfortable when we are talking. So that’s how things are…
You try joining a club of your interest, but their gatherings and meetings are in Cantonese… cool. And then you try getting an improvised translation, but things aren’t going better. Have you ever had that feeling when you really wish to understand but somehow you can’t? I know it’s not practical to do the whole meeting in English just because of one person. Then, as one of my HKU teachers would say (RIP Mr. Mok): HOW DO YOU DO?
If you are not good at sports, then you’ll be cursed to handle the meetings with a recorder and then get some voice transcription and text-translation software on hand, because you’re doomed. Sports are the most convenient (and fun) way to integrate. You stress out, make new friends, compete for your hall and gradually, it becomes easier to mingle with them.
But if you’re a sedentary bag of tomatoes, like some of us, how do you do? Try your best to be nice to your floormates, given that the language is discarded, there’s a universal language called food (be sure not to offend a person with different beliefs than you or with food allergies, by the way). Sometimes eating together, preparing food with your floormates at a pantry can be the nicest way to get to know people without talking too much. In the end, it’s not only about getting something from Hong Kong but introducing your home place as well (did I make myself clear about the “exchange” point?).
If you don’t want to prepare an atomic bomb at the pantry, or if you have history of kitchen attempt, maybe you should stick to the conventional ways, bring your laptop to the pantry to hang out there (there’s usually better wi-fi signal), exchange music or films, and hey, we are always wondering where to eat in Hong Kong (throw away your copy of Lonely Planet, you’ve got a live and experienced version in front of you!), where to go hiking, where to get this, where to buy this other stuff… and then, pray to whoever your religion’s God is (or just cross fingers if you’re atheist), and wish you can start a nice conversation.
Though I know some that live in a Hall only to spend their exchange days, go to campus, eat, hang out with our non-local friends and, come back and sleep… don’t mix potatoes with sweet potatoes (as an idiom in Spanish preaches). That means that not everybody should be judged the same. Actually, we may show that negative aspects of non-locals. Nevertheless, in our condition of Hong Kong Student Visa holders… we have other priorities. Try to understand us, what it is to decide to go away from your country, leave your family, friends (and food) behind. To be on your own in Hong Kong, to know nobody your first day here. To get lost. To try to get an address from a local (unsuccessfully, most of the times you get back to your place with a compass). To be a gwei. Our first priority would be to get a place that is affordable and close to campus, to sleep and study with people that can orient you in university matters. I sometimes feel awkward when some local students complain about not getting a place in a Hall. We don’t even have a family here. We have nobody to take us in. We miss home as we can, but we’re here for studying, looking forward to an excellent future. We must learn to tolerate each other, haven’t you noticed that differences make a whole set rich?
We live in a democracy, right? And democracy means people who make choices, including this minority that is us. Why is it so hard for us to understand and assimilate Hall Culture in our mindsets? Cultural issues and orientation matters appear. Concerning the cultural issues, we don’t understand the importance given to some activities, that outstanding level of sacrifices that you are able to stay up days without sleeping, coping with several activities and university. It’s quite impressive, though, to be able to do that. Maybe it comes with the Chinese way, being diligent and coordinated. I may be wrong.
When talking about orientation matters, then I will mention some points. We can be told how to use the washing machine (if we ask), or how’s the use of pantry (again, if we ask). Suddenly, we are taken aback by the O-camp and Superpass events, and nobody is there to explain. There’s not enough information about it (in English, and oriented to non-locals). We, non-Cantonese speakers, learn on our way, and we may fall several times. It’s not necessary a whole big event, sometimes a leaflet can even help a lot. Or a Hall buddy, if it’s not much to ask.
So far, I’ve covered some issues that are being cooked in HKU. Language will be a powerful and merciless barrier but it can be coped with “patience and good mood”, or finding alternate languages (besides from body language), while you try to chew on Cantonese. Hall Culture is a delicate issue for us, because there are views from both sides but again, “patience and good mood”, and more comprehension from both parties is the key to solving this, as well as enough (useful) information, and caring orientation. Dear comrades, there are efforts going on, the way is long and tough, and besides that propagandistic message, I would like to see that Unity in Diversity, before I leave back to my country. The goal is set, the bell has rung, and we only need to start running.